Facebook fans and foes alike will be amazed at the history of the creation of the world’s most popular networking site.
“The Social Network” dives into the origin of Facebook and takes a closer look at the man behind the website.
Jesse Eisenberg plays internet mastermind Mark Zuckerberg, a conceited Harvard computer genius who spends more time working on creating codes than developing a social life. When his girlfriend, Erica Albright (Rooney Mara), dumps him, Zuckerberg’s way of dealing with the break up is by creating a website, Facesmash, which allows viewers to rate Harvard’s female students.
The site’s instant popularity intrigues wealthy brothers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Armie Hammer), who enlist Zuckerberg in their quest to start a website called the Harvard Connection. At the same time, Zuckerberg’s friend, Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) provides Zuckerberg with the funds to turn Zuckerberg’s newest idea—Thefacebook—into a reality.
When Thefacebook becomes even more popular than Facesmash and plans for the Harvard Connection stall, the Winklevoss brothers plot to take legal action against Zuckerberg for “stealing” their idea. Meanwhile, Zuckerberg’s friendship with Saverin falters, and Zuckerberg ends up facing his former best friend in another legal battle, this time over the ownership of Facebook.
The movie is not filmed in chronological order, instead flipping from lawsuit scenes to out-of-control college parties—and it works. It’s the lawsuits against Zuckerberg that tie various events in the movie together, and the atypical timeline attracts both casual Facebook users and those who might be more intrigued by the history behind the site.
Eisenberg is the obvious star of the movie, but he hardly overshadows the other characters, all of whom are well developed. I still can’t get over Justin Timberlake’s performance as Napster developer and website entrepreneur Sean Parker.
Parker impresses Zuckerberg and pretty much everyone else in the movie with his confidence and popularity, but it’s not until we notice that inside he’s quite insecure with himself that we really get to see the surprising depth of Timberlake’s talent for acting. His performance should land him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the very least.
The only downside to this movie, which I didn’t realize until later, is that it is not an entirely accurate portrayal of Zuckerberg’s personality. According to a “People Magazine” interview with Zuckerberg’s sister Randi, “Mark is a lot more emotional than he is portrayed.” Other family members and friends insist that Zuckerberg has a “fun side.”
Regardless, Eisenberg’s arrogant and apathetic attitude captivates the audience and makes for some lighthearted moments amidst a dramatic plotline.
Director David Fincher and his crew do an incredible job with everything: the characters are well-developed, the script is full of witty comments and biting remarks, the plotline is beautifully constructed, and even the way the movie is filmed, in sort of a dark yet vivid fashion, stands out.
Peter Travers of “Rolling Stone” had it right when he said that this movie “defines the decade.” To put it quite simply, “The Social Network” is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. It’s one of the few movies I’ve ever felt the need to go see multiple times in theaters. Expect it to be nominated in a number of categories ranging from Best Picture to Best Supporting Actor at the next Academy Awards.
Jenny Hottle can be reached for comment at [email protected].